Becoming a Christian

Then I went to college.

College has a way of confusing, and clarifying, a great many things. I had to stand on my own faith for the first time in my life. There was no more hiding behind, "My dad will kill me if I do that!" Dad would never know. So what did I believe?

Being a Christian meant not going some of the places my friends went. There were certain activities that I avoided and I was repeatedly asked why. Attending worship services took priority over sleeping in. My faith gave me a different perspective on my studies and influenced how I answered questions. I enjoyed friendships and lively debates with both Christians and non-Christians.

Those four years of defending my faith, and realizing how ill-equipped I often was to do so, forced me to learn and grow. Doing so solidified the promises I made to myself and God at the time of my baptism. So while becoming a Christian was a one-time decision, staying a Christian has been a journey.

What is a Christian?

To understand what it means to become a Christian, one must define what a Christian actually is. A Christian is not somebody who sits in a church during certain religious services. A Christian is not someone who signs a form. A Christian is not a person who can't find a better box to check under "religious preferences" on a survey.

The term, "Christian" was first used at Antioch, according to Acts 11:26 in the Bible, to describe the disciples of Jesus Christ. The disciples were Jews who had followed Jesus of Nazareth during his lifetime and who continued to spread his gospel after his death and resurrection. The followers believed that only Jews could fully receive the blessings of "being saved," or what we now call "becoming Christian." Then God revealed that Gentiles, too, could be Christians. (Acts 11:18).

The book of Acts was written by Luke, a physician and historian who was an eyewitness to many of the events he describes. In Acts 2, Luke records a sermon by the Apostle Peter that outlines the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jesus' position as the long-awaited Messiah. After hearing all Peter had to say, the crowd asked what to do to be saved.

In other words, they wanted to know how to become Christians, or followers of Christ.

How does one become a Christian?

Peter replied, according to the record in Acts 2:38, that one must repent and be baptized to become a Christian. Baptism is given in the name of Jesus Christ and carries the promise of a gift, specifically the gift of the Holy Spirit.

When I was a little girl, the Holy Spirit was commonly called the Holy Ghost, and still is in some churches. Does that sound a little creepy? Perhaps. But when you're afraid of things that go bump in the dark, having a Holy Ghost on your side who is bigger and stronger than the ghost you're just sure is in the closet can be very comforting. It's appealing to think, "Nothing bad can get me now."

But grown-up me understands that having the Holy Spirit doesn't mean that nothing will ever go wrong, just that I don't have to go through the ugliness alone. In chapters 14, 15, and 16 of John's gospel, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter." While that's an old English translation of the original Greek, it makes sense. Jesus returned to heaven so people would have the opportunity to walk and grow on their own, but he didn't leave them without help.

What now?

My life's journey as a Christian continues. Each day I am confronted with choices. Will I do things God's way, or mine? Will I be happy for the good around me or focus on the bad?

Since Christianity is defined by the Bible, it is vital to find a church that is focused on studying and teaching the Bible, not the writings of a charming minister or self-proclaimed prophet. Don't expect perfection, because churches are made up of people with human faults. Do seek a place where you can ask questions and receive honest, thoughtful answers. And since Christians are defined as followers of Jesus, remember that the core of being a Christian is a relationship with Jesus Christ.